HomeMy WebLinkAbout04.19.00 Special Council Minutes
SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING
JOINT CITY COUNCIL-HRA BOARD MEETING
CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS
April 19, 2000 -7:00 p.m
A special Council Workshop was held in conjunction with the Farmington Housing and
Redevelopment Authority and the Public Facilities Task Force on April 19, 2000 at 7:00 p.m. in
the City Hall Council Chambers. Prior to the start of the meeting, a public information meeting
was held beginning at 6:00 p.m. until the joint workshop was convened at 7:00 p.m.
Council members present: Mayor Ristow, Councilmembers Cordes, Soderberg and Strachan.
Member absent: Verch
HRA members present: Chairperson Arey, Boardmembers Soderberg, Matheson, Flaherty.
Member absent: Lamb
Public Facilities Task Force present: Chair Sapp, Vice-Chair Cordes, Members Flaherty, Gerten,
Heman, Matheson, Oswald and Erar. Members absent: Gunderson, Kimmerling, Miller, Rotty.
Others present: Administrator Erar, Finance Director Roland, Public Works Director Mann,
Chief Siebenaler.
The Special Council Meeting was called to order by Mayor Ristow. Chair Arey called to order a
special meeting of the HRA. The Council Workshop Agenda was adopted.
Mayor Ristow welcomed the participants to the meeting and asked those in attendance to
introduce themselves. Mayor Ristow indicated the purpose of the meeting was to review the final
report of the Public Facilities Task Force and to discuss their recommendations regarding City
facilities. Mayor Ristow asked administrator Erar to present the final report.
Erar began the presentation by recognizing Task Force Chair Sapp and members of the group.
Chair Sapp indicated he was very pleased with facility planning efforts and felt that the Task
Force had done a very thorough job in reviewing City building needs. The final report was
presented using a computer aided multi-media projector. At the conclusion of the presentation,
cost estimates for the Law Enforcement Center (LEC), Central Maintenance Facility (eMF) and
City Hall remodeling were presented, with the total project budget for the CMF and LEC
estimated at $7.6 million. The remodeling of the City Hall was estimated at approximately
$722,000.
At the conclusion of this presentation, Finance Director Roland presented information on project
financing and indicated that in accordance with Task Force recommendations, a lease revenue
bond was the most appropriate funding mechanism. Chair Arey asked a number of questions
regarding the HRA's role in issuing the bonds and how the bonds would be paid for by the City.
Director Roland indicated that the debt service would be annually appropriated for during the
City budget process, and that state statute did not allow the City to issue these types of bonds
directly.
A general discussion was held at the conclusion of this portion of the meeting, with a variety of
comments and questions focusing on City finances, long-term debt implications, effect on the
City tax rate and extensive discussions regarding the City's fiscal assumptions and financial
Performa
Mayor Ristow indicated that the need for the recommended facilities as identified by the Task
Force was unquestionably necessary. The Mayor pointed to the fact that the Council chambers is
inadequate for large meetings and needs to accommodate residents. Councilmember Cordes
indicated her wholehearted support for the facilities as recommended given her involvement in
the process and tour of existing facilities. Councilmember Soderberg indicated that his review of
the City's financial data and assumptions suggested that the Task Force and staffhad done a very
thorough job. Councilmember Strachan indicated that the process established a fundamental need
for the facilities, and that the City should produce a design that was considerate of both
functional needs and budgetary limitations. Erar indicated that the design of facilities would
incorporate elements of attractiveness, durability and functionality consistent with the City's
commitment to customer service, but in accordance with budgetary guidelines.
The HRA indicated their unanimous support for the facilities, as recommended and their role in
issuing the bonds as recommended by the Task Force. It was noted that Board members Flaherty
and Matheson participated in the process and were able to represent the interests of the HRA in
the process.
Mayor Ristow indicated that several action items were necessary to move the process forward.
This included approving Requests for Proposals for a Construction Manager and Project
Architect(s), approving the issuance of Lease Revenue Bonds and recommending that the HRA
issue the bonds, the HRA will address this issue. at their next meeting, and that signage be
installed at the City site identifying the future construction of the LEC and CMF. Council
indicated their consensus that these items should be placed on the May 1, 2000 Council agenda.
The Mayor and Council extended their appreciation and gratitude for the hard work of the Task
Force in this process, and acknowledged that the process included resident input in the final
outcome. Chair Sapp acknowledged the Council's appreciation and thanked the Council and
Task Force for the opportunity to serve as Chair in this very important process.
Meeting was adjourned at 9:30 p.m.
Respectfully sub .tted,
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J F.Erar
ity Administrator